We are extremely concerned about the widespread reports of deliberate mishandling and molestation of 10-15 women police officers of the Mumbai Police while on regular bandobast duty to ensure public order at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Saturday, August 11.

Policewomen, as all women in public administrative functions are particularly vulnerable to such incidents of gender violence and hence it is necessary for the NCW to not just investigate this complaint but look into the wider issue of the vulnerabilities of women in public spaces and suggest sensitisation in this regard.

We, as citizens of Mumbai and representatives of womens’ organisations would urge that the National Commission for Women (NCW) conducts a Investigation under Section 10(a)(f) and (j) of the National Commission for Women’s Act, 1990 into the reports and allegations and makes public its recommendations in a time bound manner. Sensitisation of the public on conduct during protests and demonstrations is a must as also the acknowledgement and assertion that such behaviour cannot be condoned.